Driving during and after periods of heavy rain requires particular caution owing to the risk of flooding, slippery roads, and decreased visibility.

1. You Have No Idea What Lies Below the Water 

Deep potholes, out-of-place drain and maintenance hole cover, severely damaged pavement, or, worse still, a sizable sinkhole just waiting for your automobile to pass by and fall in could all be concealed beneath the calm water surface.

2. You can underestimate the water’s depth. 

A body of water that appears to be small may be deep enough to submerge both you and your car entirely.

As your automobile sinks and you are trapped within it, water slowly infiltrates it. Turn around, don’t drown; there is never a good enough cause to accept such tremendous risks.

3. Both your vehicle and you can be swept away 

Moving floodwater makes driving over it very hazardous. Your car may get washed into a deeper body of water or sustain significant damage from moving items and debris in the river if it is moved downstream.

Off-road vehicle drivers shouldn’t believe they are exempt, either. A hefty 44 can be thrown off the road if the water level is raised by another foot.

If you like to be more ‘hands-on’ with your vehicle, please browse our extensive library of manuals for your make and model: Repair Manuals

4. Your engine may hydrolock. 

Fresh air must be delivered to the engine continuously. However, if water gets close to the intake, it will enter your engine and cause a seizure. As a result, there may be a high repair expense or, in the worst situation, a total replacement.

It doesn’t even take that much depth for water to infiltrate your engine compartment. Such risks are present even while only driving through six inches of water.

5. It May Cause Electronic Device Damage 

Long-term contact with floodwater can seriously harm your car’s electrical systems and wiring. Since many modern cars rely on computers to handle fundamental processes like the engine, any damage could have disastrous results, including the car refusing to start. It will cost money and take time to have the electronic components of your vehicle repaired or replaced.

6. Vital Fluids May Be Contaminated 

Another risk is that the engine oil, transmission fluid, and differential fluid could get contaminated if water enters the engine compartment. These fluids assist in dissipating extra heat and keeping your car’s mechanical parts clean, lubricated, and dirt-free.

However, they will lose their ability to work as expected if combined with water. Driving with fluids tainted by flood water can result in high friction, heat, and abrasion, which can hasten the wear of the car’s internal parts and increase the likelihood of component failure.

7. Flood Water Can Ruin Property 

Metal rusts when it is in contact with water. Your car is a highly engineered metal cage, so it needs to be handled. Water doesn’t make a distinction when it comes into contact with something or enters a space. Any metallic component of your car that isn’t adequately shielded will rust when it comes into contact with floodwater. Even worse, it can already be too late to apply a sensible solution when you discover the issue.

8. You Might Be Electrocuted. 

You are often safe inside your car because electricity follows the minor resistance route until the water enters. A good conductor of electricity is water. There is a significant chance that you could be electrocuted if there are any submerged wires in the body of water where your car sank.

9. The Interior of Your Car Will Smell Horribly

Flood water is foul since it contains not just rainwater but also sewage, pollution from the streets, and other debris. Without your knowledge, your automobile may absorb litres of this water as you travel over inundated roadways. The introduction of floodwater can result in the growth of mould and germs, giving your car a foul odour and bad air quality that may not go away until a complete and expensive clean-up. It happens because of your automobile’s dark, poorly ventilated, enclosed environment.

Be aware that you will either damage your car or even put your and your passengers’ lives in danger. Always avoid driving across any flooded road sections if at all feasible. Never drive across water. If possible, find a different route.